Now Hiring 20,000 Summer Jobs with Stimulus Dollars

ATLANTA -- No doubt, the job market has been rough for adults. But it's even worse for teenagers competing with experienced, unemployed professionals for temporary jobs. This summer, the government is giving Georgia teens a leg up.

The state will spend $200 million in federal stimulus dollarsto employ 15,000 teens and 5,000 adults. Employers who hire these workers will be reimbursed 100 percent of teen wages and 80 percent of adult salaries.

"We have a unique opportunity to put Georgians back to work, reinvigorate Georgia businesses and spark an economic recovery across our state," Georgia Department of Human ServicesCommissioner said in a statement. GDHS is managing the program.

Job applicants must have household incomes at or below three times the federal poverty level. That would be about $55,000 for a family of three and $66,000 for a family of four, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources.

Teens must be between 14 and 18 years old. The teen program runs June 1 to July 31. Applications are due Friday, April 16. For details, visit Georgia Teen Work.

Adults must have at least one dependent child. The adult program runs through September 30. There is no current application deadline. For more information, visit Jobs for Georgia.

Employers who've previously participated in this program include Chick-fil-A, Target and MARTA.